Japanese GP: Latest F1 tech updates, direct from pitlane

Giorgio Piola and Sutton Images bring you the Formula 1 technical updates on show in the Suzuka pitlane at the Japanese GP on Thursday, giving insight into the relentless development undertaken by the teams in pursuit of more performance.

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Mercedes-AMG F1 W09 in pit lane

1/11

Photo by: Rubio / Motorsport Images

The W09 of Lewis Hamilton is pushed down the pitlane towards scrutineering.

Racing Point Force India VJM11 bargeboards

2/11

Photo by: Rubio / Motorsport Images

Top-down look at the complex bargeboard region on the VJM11, also note the six strakes on the leading edge of the floor introduced a few races ago.

Williams FW41 front wing detail

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Photo by: Rubio / Motorsport Images

A side shot of the Williams FW41 front wing, note how all of the upper furniture is turned outward to try and push the airflow across and around the front tyre.

Scuderia Toro Rosso STR13 nose and front wing

4/11

Photo by: Rubio / Motorsport Images

Top-down overview of Toro Rosso’s front wing shows just how much effort is taken to direct the airflow outward.

Mercedes-AMG F1 W09 rear suspension detail

5/11

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

A look at Mercedes’ rear brake assembly as the car is built up. Note how the brake duct inlet not only sends cool air to the brake disc but some of the flow is proportioned off to the brake caliper, which itself is enclosed within the silver-coloured shielding.

Ferrari SF71H rear wing detail

6/11

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

Ferrari with a mixture of lower and higher downforce componentry on the rear wing: spoon-shaped mainplane and upper flap and open-end style louvres, along with the recently-introduced straked endplates.

Racing Point Force India VJM11 nose and front wing

7/11

Photo by: Rubio / Motorsport Images

A top-down overview of Force India’s front wing and ‘Cobra’ nose which helps to feed the airflow on the underside of the nose.

Mercedes-AMG F1 W09 of Valtteri Bottas

8/11

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

A great view of the immensely complex region ahead of the sidepods, with the bargeboards and its various ancillary surfaces, the chassis boomerangs and the upturned leading edge of the floor which is furnished with strakes.

Front wing of Ferrari SF71H with new livery

9/11

Photo by: Rubio / Motorsport Images

A close up of the front wing specification introduced at the last round in Russia.

Williams FW41 bargeboards

10/11

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

An interesting look at the area ahead of the sidepods on the Williams FW41 reveals that their splitter extension is split into five distinct surfaces.

Renault Sport F1 Team R.S. 18 detail

11/11

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

More is definitely the answer for Renault, as the amount of surfaces surrounding the bargeboards is unrivalled by the rest of the field.